Carlos Otto Heise1,2, Monise Zaccariotto3, Roberto S Martins3, Hugo Sterman-Neto3, Mário G Siqueira3. 1. Peripheral Nerve Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. carlos.heise@hc.fm.usp.br. 2. Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. carlos.heise@hc.fm.usp.br. 3. Peripheral Nerve Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Self-biting behavior in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) has been associated with finger amputation. Our objective is to describe the incidence of this complication, risk factors, and clinical management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 612 patients with NBPP. There were 303 males and 309 females. 51.8% of patients had C5-C6 lesions, 28.9% had C5-C7, 18.9% had C5-T1, and 0.3 had C7-T1 involvement. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients with self-biting behavior (2.5%). Ten patients had C5-T1 lesions, and five had C5-C7 lesions. Eight patents were submitted to brachial plexus surgery and seven were not. This behavior appeared between 8 and 46 months of life (mean 23.5), and it was always temporary. There was no difference between operated and non-operated patients (p > 0.05), and no correlation between age at surgery and age of appearance of self-biting behavior (p > 0.05). Physical restriction was effective in treating this complication and we had no case of finger amputation. CONCLUSION: Self-biting behavior is a rare complication of NBPP, and it is usually associated with severe motor involvement. The behavior duration is limited to a few months. This condition can be effectively treated with physical restriction to prevent hand biting.
PURPOSE: Self-biting behavior in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) has been associated with finger amputation. Our objective is to describe the incidence of this complication, risk factors, and clinical management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 612 patients with NBPP. There were 303 males and 309 females. 51.8% of patients had C5-C6 lesions, 28.9% had C5-C7, 18.9% had C5-T1, and 0.3 had C7-T1 involvement. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients with self-biting behavior (2.5%). Ten patients had C5-T1 lesions, and five had C5-C7 lesions. Eight patents were submitted to brachial plexus surgery and seven were not. This behavior appeared between 8 and 46 months of life (mean 23.5), and it was always temporary. There was no difference between operated and non-operated patients (p > 0.05), and no correlation between age at surgery and age of appearance of self-biting behavior (p > 0.05). Physical restriction was effective in treating this complication and we had no case of finger amputation. CONCLUSION: Self-biting behavior is a rare complication of NBPP, and it is usually associated with severe motor involvement. The behavior duration is limited to a few months. This condition can be effectively treated with physical restriction to prevent hand biting.
Authors: Susan H Brown; Cory W Wernimont; Lauren Phillips; Kathy L Kern; Virginia S Nelson; Lynda J-S Yang Journal: Pediatr Neurol Date: 2015-12-24 Impact factor: 3.372